<![CDATA[Idaho Bluegrass Association

<![CDATA[Idaho Bluegrass Association - Beginner Jam]]>Wed, 22 Apr 2026 15:07:16 -0700Weebly<![CDATA[New River Train]]>Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:09:44 GMThttps://www.idahobluegrassassociation.org/beginner-jam/new-river-train3676606Hi everyone,
The song of the week is 'New River Train' in the key of F.

Recordings
The Monroe Brothers - key of D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NyWMFjly24o

Tony Rice and Norman Blake - key of D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y36HCn4Ivws

The White Brothers - key of E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0eLjdbN1xdg

Roland White - key of E (New River Train ends at 2:28)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6EZCsTzPb2k

Jason Homey & The Snake River Boys - key of F (starts at 4:02)
Jason Homey and the Snake River Boys, IBA Open Mic, 4/23/19 - YouTube

Jam Videos
Jason Homey - keys of F & G
Jason’s YouTube Links – Alphabetical Listing – Parisology (cyberplasm.com)

Janene Thomas - key of B
New River Train [B] - YouTube

Janene Thomas - key of A
New River Train [A] (youtube.com)

Progression
1111
1155
1144
5511
(Prog. W2 on the Basic Chord Progressions handout.)

In the key of F: 1=F, 4=Bb, 5=C.
In the key of E: 1=E, 4=A, 5=B.
In the key of D: 1=D, 4=G, 5=A.
In the key of C: 1=C, 4=F, 5=G.
In the key of B: 1=B, 4=E, 5=F#.
In the key of A: 1=A, 4=D, 5=E.
In the key of G: 1=G, 4=C, 5=D.

Song List
18 songs were played at last night's jam: 10 from the main list, 5 from the additional songs list, and 3 that are on neither list:

Canaan's Land - F
Foggy Mountain Top - A
Hand Me Down My Walking Cane - G
In The Pines - E
Long Journey Home - A
New River Train - A
This Little Light Of Mine - B
Way Down Town - E
When The Saints Go Marching In - A
You Are My Sunshine - E
Angeline The Baker - D
I'll Fly Away - G
Mama Don't Allow - A
Soldier's Joy - D
Will The Circle Be Unbroken - A
Deep Elem Blues - E
I Am Weary, Let Me Rest - D
White Freight Liner - A

Happy Pickin',
Jason

Files:
New River Train - melody in F
Download File

New River Train - mandolin tab
Download File

New River Train - banjo tab in D
Download File

New River Train - guitar tab in C
Download File

New River Train - guitar tab in D
Download File
]]><![CDATA[You Are My Sunshine]]>Wed, 15 Apr 2026 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.idahobluegrassassociation.org/beginner-jam/you-are-my-sunshine7039374Hi everyone,
The song of the week is 'You Are My Sunshine' in the key of E.

Recordings
Alan O'Bryant - key of E
Alan O'bryant - You Are My Sunshine - YouTube

Tom Adams - key of D (instrumental)
You Are My Sunshine - YouTube

Jam Videos
Jason Homey - Keys of E & G
Jason’s YouTube Links – Alphabetical Listing – Parisology

Progression
1111
4411
4411
1511

(Prog. V4 on the Basic Chord Progressions handout)

In the key of E: 1=E, 4=A, 5=B.
In the key of D: 1=D, 4=G, 5=A.
In the key of C: 1=C, 4=F, 5=G.
In the key of G: 1=G, 4=C, 5=D.

Song List
12 songs were played at last night's jam: 10 from the main list, 1 from the additional songs list, and 1 that is on neither list:

Buffalo Gals - A
Foggy Mountain Top - C
Gold Watch And Chain - C
Leaning On The Everlasting Arms - B
Light At The River - Bb
Long Journey Home - D
New River Train - G
This Little Light Of Mine - Bb
Way Down Town - E
You Are My Sunshine - A (played twice)
Will The Circle Be Unbroken - A
Shady Grove - Am

Happy Pickin',
Jason

Files:
BBJ - You Are My Sunshine - banjo tab (D+2=E).pdf
Download File

BBJ - You Are My Sunshine - guitar tab (D+2=E).pdf
Download File

BBJ - You Are My Sunshine - guitar tab (C+4=E).pdf
Download File

BBJ - You Are My Sunshine - mandolin tab (E).pdf
Download File

BBJ - You Are My Sunshine - melody in E.pdf
Download File

BBJ - You Are My Sunshine - lyric cheat sheet.pdf
Download File
]]><![CDATA[Long Journey Home]]>Wed, 08 Apr 2026 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.idahobluegrassassociation.org/beginner-jam/long-journey-homeHi everyone,
Adam will be leading the beginner jam this coming Tuesday (Apr. 14th).
The song of the week is 'Long Journey Home' (a.k.a. 'Two Dollar Bill' and 'Lost All My Money') in the key of G.

Recordings
Flatt & Scruggs - key of A (song starts at 2:07)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j36uEgzfer4&list=PL75WHOdULzEkvqS1g3YFtHWFP0Av_Fio4

Rhonda Vincent - key of B
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7M8j_Ofnstc

Bill Monroe & Doc Watson - key of G
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EIsDyBxPujM

Jason Homey & The Snake River Boys - key of A
Jason Homey and The Snake River Boys, IBA Open Mic, 2_24_20 - YouTube

Jam Videos
Jason Homey - key of G
Long Journey Home Jam Video - Jason Homey

Jason Homey - key of A
Jason’s YouTube Links – Alphabetical Listing – Parisology (cyberplasm.com)

Janene Thomas - key of D
Long Journey Home [D]

Progression
1111
1141
1111
1511

In the key of G: 1=G; 4=C; 5=D.
In the key of A: 1=A; 4=D; 5=E.
In the key of B: 1=B; 4=E; 5=F#.
In the key of C: 1=C; 4=F; 5=G.
In the key of D: 1=D; 4=G; 5=A.

Song List
17 songs were played at last night's jam: 12 from the main list, 4 from the additional songs list, and 1 that is on neither list:

Before I Met You - A
Buffalo Gals - A
Columbus Stockade Blues - G
The Crawdad Song - G
Foggy Mountain Top - A
Gold Watch And Chain - C
Hand Me Down My Walking Cane - G
In The Pines - D
Leaning On The Everlasting Arms - A
Long Journey Home - A
Way Down Town - E
You Are My Sunshine - A
Bury Me Beneath The Willow - C
I'll Fly Away - G
I'm Thinking Tonight Of My Blues Eyes - Bb
Nine Pound Hammer - A
Lonesome Road Blues - A

Happy Pickin',
Jason

Files:

Long Journey Home - lyric cheat sheet
Download File

BBJ - Long Journey Home - banjo tab (G)
File Size:	326 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

BBJ - Long Journey Home - guitar tab (G)
File Size:	340 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

BBJ - Long Journey Home - mandolin tab (G)
File Size:	307 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

BBJ - Long Journey Home - melody in G
File Size:	318 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

]]><![CDATA[Foggy Mountain Top]]>Wed, 01 Apr 2026 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.idahobluegrassassociation.org/beginner-jam/foggy-mountain-top8739815Hi everyone,
The song of the week is 'Foggy Mountain Top' in the key of A.

Recordings
Corrina Rose Logston - key of C
Foggy Mountain Top - YouTube

Doc Watson, Earl Scruggs, & Ricky Skaggs - key of G
3 Pickers - Foggy Mountain Top - YouTube

Rose Maddox - key of B (very sharp)
Foggy Mountain Top - YouTube

Jason Homey & The Snake River Boys - key of G (starts at 15:36)
Jason Homey and the Snake River Boys, IBA Open Mic, 6_25_19 - YouTube

Jam Videos
Jason Homey - key of A
Foggy Mountain Top Jam Video - Jason Homey - YouTube

Jason Homey - key of G
Jason’s YouTube Links – Alphabetical Listing – Parisology (cyberplasm.com)

Janene Thomas - key of D
Foggy Mountain Top [D] - YouTube

Janene Thomas - key of C
Foggy Mountain Top [C] - YouTube

Progression
1141
1155
1141
1511
(Prog. V6 on the Basic Chord Progressions handout.)

In the key of G: 1=G, 4=C, 5=D.
In the key of A: 1=A, 4=D, 5=E.
In the key of B: 1=B; 4=E; 5=F#.
In the key of C: 1=C; 4=F; 5=G.
In the key of D: 1=D; 4=G; 5=A.

Song List
19 songs were played at last night's jam: 11 from the main list, 5 from the additional songs list, and 3 that are on neither list:

Buffalo Gals - A
Canaan's Land - F
Cryin' Holy - B
Foggy Mountain Top - A
Gold Watch And Chain - C
Hand Me Down My Walking Cane - B
Light At The River - C
Sweetheart, You Done Me Wrong - C
This Little Light Of Mine - A
Way Down Town - E
You Are My Sunshine - Bb
Bury Me Beneath The Willow - Bb
Clinch Mountain Backstep - A
Cripple Creek - A
Gathering Flowers From The Hillside - A
Soldier's Joy - D
I'll Go Steppin' Too - A
Little Georgia Rose - G
White Freight Liner - A

Happy Pickin',
Jason

Files:
Foggy Mountain Top - lyric cheat sheet
Download File

BBJ - Foggy Mountain Top - banjo tab (G+2=A)
File Size:	317 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

BBJ - Foggy Mountain Top - guitar tab (low G+2=low A)
File Size:	371 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

BBJ - Foggy Mountain Top - guitar tab (G+2=A)
File Size:	351 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

BBJ - Foggy Mountain Top - mandolin tab (A)
File Size:	307 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

BBJ - Foggy Mountain Top - melody in A
File Size:	354 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

]]><![CDATA[Way Down Town]]>Wed, 25 Mar 2026 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.idahobluegrassassociation.org/beginner-jam/way-down-town1612957Hi everyone,
The song of the week is 'Way Down Town' in the key of E.

Recordings
The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band with Doc Watson - key of D
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4boKwvWNZc

Tony Rice - key of D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4u326dPx_5U

Doc and Merle Watson - key of E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACAFvj42xY4

Jason Homey & The Snake River Boys - key of E (starts at 3:31)
Jason Homey and the Snake River Boys, IBA Open Mic, 6_25_19 - YouTube

Jam Videos
Jason Homey - keys of E and D
Jason’s YouTube Links – Alphabetical Listing – Parisology (cyberplasm.com)

Janene Thomas - key of A
Way Down Town [A] (youtube.com)

Progression
4411
5511
4411
5511
(Progression W10 on the Basic Chord Progressions handout.)

In the key of E: 1=E, 4=A, 5=B
In the key of D: 1=D, 4=G, 5=A
In the key of C: 1=C, 4=F, 5=G
In the key of A: 1=A, 4=D, 5=E
In the key of G: 1=G, 4=C, 5=D

Song List
16 songs were played at last night's jam: 8 from the main list, 6 from the additional songs list, and 2 that are on neither list:

Before I Met You - A
Canaan's Land - F
Gold Watch And Chain - C
Hand Me Down My Walking Cane - A
Long Journey Home - B
Way Down Town - G
When The Saints Go Marching In - C
You Are My Sunshine - Bb
Bury Me Beneath The Willow - Bb
Clinch Mountain Backstep (played twice) - A
I'll Fly Away - A
Little Cabin Home On The Hill (played twice) - G & A
Mama Don't Allow - A
Soldier's Joy - D
On The Other Side Of Town - C
White Freight Liner - A

Happy Pickin',
Jason

FIles:
Way Downtown - melody in E
Download File

Way Downtown - mandolin tab
Download File

Way Downtown - banjo tab
Download File

Way Downtown - guitar tab 1
Download File

Way Downtown - guitar tab 2
Download File

Way Down Town - lyric cheat sheet
Download File
]]><![CDATA[Canaan's Land]]>Wed, 18 Mar 2026 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.idahobluegrassassociation.org/beginner-jam/canaans-landHi everyone,
The song of the week is 'Canaan's Land' (a.k.a. 'Where The Soul Never Dies') in the key of F.

Recordings
Ricky Skaggs and Tony Rice - key of E
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8_mJxXFxcy4

Jim and Jesse - key of G
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mV44JL1ktng

The Oak Ridge Boys - key of F (final choruses modulate to the key of Bb)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YV7RhC9ZGfk

Jam Videos
Jason Homey - keys of E and F
Jason’s YouTube Links – Alphabetical Listing – Parisology (cyberplasm.com)

Janene Thomas - key of B
Canaan’s Land [B] (youtube.com)

Progression
1111
1155
1111
1511
(Prog. V1 on the Basic Chord Progressions chart.)

In the key of F: 1 = F and 5 = C.
In the key of E: 1 = E and 5 = B.
In the key of D: 1 = D and 5 = A.
In the key of C: 1 = C and 5 = G
In the key of B: 1 = B and 5 = F#
In the key of Bb: 1 = Bb and 5 = F
In the key of G: 1 = G and 5 = D

Harmony & Lyrics
The set of lyrics used for the harmony part(s) on the chorus, and on the repetitive parts of the verses, is different from the set of lyrics used for singing the melody.

Here is how the two sets of lyrics line up with each other for the chorus.
Lead:       No     / sad                 /      fare / wells        /           no       /
Harmony: Dear / friends there'll / be no   / sad   fare / wells, there'll

Lead:       tear    /         dimmed / eyes /     where /
Harmony: be no / tear-dimmed / eyes /      where /

Lead:        all    /            is    / love      /          and the /
Harmony: all is / peace and / joy and / love, and the /

Lead:        soul    /          never / dies. /       /
Harmony: soul of / man never / dies. /       /

The repetitive parts of the verses (lines 2 and 4 of each verse) line up in the same way as line 4 of the chorus.

Song List
14 songs were played at last night's jam: 9 from the main list, 4 from the additional songs list, and 1 that is on neither list:

Before I Met You (played three times) - D, A, A
Canaan's Land - F
Columbus Stockade Blues - G
Cryin' Holy - Bb
Hand Me Down My Walking Cane - G
In The Pines - E
This Little Light Of Mine - A
Way Down Town - D
When The Saints Go Marching In - Bb
Angeline The Baker - D
Blue Ridge Cabin Home - G
Bury Me Beneath The Willow- A
Soldier's Joy - D
Paradise - D

Happy Pickin',
Jason

Files:
Canaan's Land - banjo tab 1
Download File

Canaan's Land - banjo tab 2
Download File

Canaan's Land - banjo tab 3
Download File

Canaan's Land - guitar tab 1
Download File

Canaan's Land - guitar tab 2
Download File

Canaan's Land - mandolin tab
Download File

Canaan's Land - melody in F
Download File

BBJ - Canaan's Land - lyric cheat sheet
Download File
]]><![CDATA[Before I Met You]]>Wed, 11 Mar 2026 07:00:00 GMThttps://www.idahobluegrassassociation.org/beginner-jam/before-i-met-you5458785Hi everyone,
The song of the week is 'Before I Met You' in the key of A, in 3/4 time.

Recordings
Flatt and Scruggs (studio) - key of Ab (the instruments were all tuned a half-step higher than standard)
Flatt and Scruggs - Before I Met You (1955). - YouTube

Flatt and Scruggs (live) - key of G
Before I Met You - Foggy Mountain Boys - YouTube

Jason Homey & The Snake River Boys - key of A
Before I met you- Jason Homey and the Snake River Boys - YouTube

Jam Videos
Jason Homey - key of A
(1) Before I Met You Jam Video - Jason Homey - YouTube

Janene Thomas - key of D
Before I Met You [D] (youtube.com)

Progression
The progression for the verses and breaks is:
1141
1155
1141
1511
(V6 on the Basic Chord Progressions chart)

The progression for the chorus is:
4411
1155
1141
1511
(X6 on the Basic Chord Progressions chart)

In the key of G: 1=G, 4=C, 5=D.
In the key of A: 1=A, 4=D, 5=E.
In the key of C: 1=C, 4=F, 5=G.
In the key of D: 1=D, 4=G, 5=A.

Song List
17 songs were played at last night's jam: 9 from the main list, 4 from the additional songs list, and 4 that are on neither list:

Before I Met You - A
Buffalo Gals - A
Canaan's Land - B
Cryin' Holy - A
Hand Me Down My Walking Cane - G
Long Journey Home - A
This Little Light Of Mine - B
Way Down Town - E
You Are My Sunshine - A
Boil The Cabbage Down - A
Banks Of The Ohio - A
Bury Me Beneath The Willow - A
I'll Fly Away - A
Red Haired Boy - A
Salt Creek - A
Whiskey Before Breakfast - D
You Ain't Goin' Nowhere - A

Happy Pickin',
Jason

Files:
BBJ - Before I Met You - banjo tab
Download File

BBJ - Before I Met You - guitar tab
Download File

BBJ - Before I Met You - mandolin tab
Download File

BBJ - Before I Met You - melody in A
Download File

BBJ - Before I Met You - lyric cheat sheet
Download File
]]><![CDATA[Cryin' Holy]]>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 08:00:00 GMThttps://www.idahobluegrassassociation.org/beginner-jam/cryin-holy2158426Hi everyone,
The song of the week is 'Cryin' Holy' in the key of Bb.

Recordings
Bill Monroe - key of Bb
Cryin' Holy Unto The Lord (youtube.com)

J.D. Crowe & The New South - key of B
(11) Cryin' Holy, Unto The Lord :: J.D. Crowe And The New South (youtube.com)

Jam Videos
Jason Homey - key of Bb
Cryin' Holy Jam Video - Jason Homey - YouTube

Janene Thomas - key of B
Cryin’ Holy [B] (youtube.com)

Jason Homey - key of G
Jason’s YouTube Links – Alphabetical Listing – Parisology (cyberplasm.com)

Progression
1111
4411
1111
1511
(Prog. V3 on the Basic Chord Progressions handout.)

In the key of G: 1=G, 4=C, 5=D
In the key of Bb: 1=Bb, 4=Eb, 5=F
In the key of B: 1=B, 4=E, 5=F#

Song List
14 songs were played at last night's jam: 11 from the main list, 2 from the additional songs list, and 1 that is on neither list:

Before I Met You - A
Buffalo Gals - A
Canaan's Land - A
Columbus Stockade Blues - D
The Crawdad Song - G
Cryin' Holy - Bb
Gold Watch And Chain - Bb
Hand Me Down My Walking Cane - G
New River Train - D
Way Down Town - B
You Are My Sunshine - G
Nine Pound Hammer - G
Will The Circle Be Unbroken - A
I Saw The Light - G

Happy Pickin',
Jason

Files:
Cryin' Holy - banjo tab (G+3=Bb)
Download File

Cryin' Holy - guitar tab (G+3=Bb)
Download File

Cryin' Holy - guitar tab (low G+3=Bb)
Download File

BBJ - Cryin' Holy - Lyric Cheat Sheet
Download File

BBJ - Cryin' Holy - mandolin tab (Bb)
File Size:	309 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

BBJ - Cryin' Holy - melody in Bb
File Size:	354 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

]]><![CDATA[New Songlist - March to May 2026]]>Thu, 26 Feb 2026 08:00:00 GMThttps://www.idahobluegrassassociation.org/beginner-jam/new-songlist-march-to-may-2026Hi everyone,

I have included new song lists for the Beginner jam. Starting next week, these will replace the song lists that were used for the jam between December 2025 and February 2026. (I have also included in the attachments the two other handouts for the jam that go together with the song lists. No changes have been made to these handouts.)

For each of the songs with vocals, two keys are placed in parentheses. The purpose of this is not to dictate what key individual singers should sing the songs in, but to be a guide for choosing a key appropriate for one's voice and for the style of the music. For the men: start with the key that is listed first, and then from there, gradually lower or gradually raise the key to find which key works best for you to sing the song in. (But, in general, the higher, the better, for the style of music.) For the women: start with the key that is listed second, and then from there, gradually lower or gradually raise the key to find which key works best for you to sing the song in. (But, in general, try not to raise the key very much higher: once again, keeping in mind the style of music we are dealing with here.)

Files:
Basic Chord Progressions Chart.pdf
Download File

Number System Chart.pdf
Download File

BEGINNER BLUEGRASS JAM - Mar. - May 2026 - MAIN LIST
File Size:	399 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

BEGINNER BLUEGRASS JAM - Mar. - May 2026 - ADDITIONAL SONGS
File Size:	433 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

]]><![CDATA[Buffalo Gals]]>Wed, 25 Feb 2026 08:00:00 GMThttps://www.idahobluegrassassociation.org/beginner-jam/buffalo-gals7553616 Hi everyone,
The song of the week is 'Buffalo Gals' in the key of A.

Recordings
Alan Munde - key of A
Buffalo Gals - YouTube

Aubrey Haynie (mandolin break - key of A, fiddle break - key of D, banjo break - key of A, dobro break - key of D, fiddle break - key of A, guitar break - key of D, mandolin break - key of A)
https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=q8qYQf0ABFk

Mike Scott - key of G
https://www.youtube.com/watch? v=TIZs3Rs8B2U

Jason Homey & The Snake River Boys - key of A
Jason Homey and the Snake River Boys, IBA Open Mic, 4/23/19 - YouTube

Jam Videos
Jason Homey - keys of A & D
Jason’s YouTube Links – Alphabetical Listing – Parisology (cyberplasm.com)

Janene Thomas - key of G
Buffalo Gals [G] - YouTube

Progression
1151
1151
(Prog. Z5 on the Basic Chord Progressions handout.)

In the key of G: 1 = G, 5 = D
In the key of A: 1 = A, 5 = E
In the key of C: 1 = C, 5 = G
In the key of D: 1 = D, 5 = A

Attachments
In addition to the melody sheets, I have included in the attachments a chart of double endings to use for ending the song.

Song List
15 songs were played at last night's jam: 9 from the main list, 5 from the additional songs list, and 1 that is on neither list:

Boil The Cabbage Down - A
Forked Deer - D
Gold Watch And Chain - A
Little Cabin Home On The Hill - A
Mama Don't Allow - A
Mountain Dew - G
This Little Light Of Mine - A
When The Saints Go Marching In - D
Wreck Of The Old '97 - D
All The Good Times Are Past And Gone - A
Buffalo Gals - A
I'll Fly Away - C
Sitting On Top Of The World - G
Swing Low, Sweet Chariot - C
Katy Daly - G

Happy Pickin',
Jason

FIles:
Buffalo Gals - Banjo tab
Download File

Buffalo Gals - Mandolin tab
Download File

Buffalo Gals - Guitar tap (high G+2=A)
Download File

Buffalo Gals - Melody in A
Download File

BBJ - Double Endings in G
Download File

BBJ - Buffalo Gals - guitar tab (low G+2=A)
File Size:	369 kb
File Type:	pdf

Download File

]]>